Just doing a drive train service on a friends bike last night and found a problem when using the smallest cog on the cassette. Basically, the chain fouls the seat stay and my mate hasn't noticed this but the chain has been eating through the metal. I tried three different wheels (Hope Pro III SP, Sun, Mavic Crossmax ST) and they all have the same problem. Hence, not something with the wheel but the frame not being built with enough clearance.

I originally thought that the bike was built for 8 speed (would it make any difference?), but it was bought as a nine speed…..

Any others having or had the same problem?

Contact your dealer, was a problem on early G2/3 frames, quick fix until modified seatstays was to fit a custom shaped spacer between the frame and hanger, worked fine on Shimano equipped bikes, Sram mechs sometimes ran up against their limit screw before making the large sprocket.

Thanks for that, its running Shimano XT stuff. Will check it out.